01/09/21
So, given President Trump's unparalleled support of Israel over his tenure, how have major American organizations responded to the attack on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021?
On January 6th, Arthur Stark, Chairman, William Daroff, CEO, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement: "The orderly transfer of power is a hallmark of and essential to American democracy. We are disgusted by the violence at the US Capitol and urge the rioters to disperse immediately. Law and order must be restored, and the peaceful transition of administrations must continue."
On January 7th, the American Jewish Committee published a strong statement condemning the events in Washington. It said: "The assault January 6 on the U.S. Capitol by loyalists inspired and incited by President Trump was not a political protest. It was an act of sedition by individuals, some armed with military-style weapons, who believed and had cause to believe that they were carrying out the instructions of the nation’s highest office holder, and dozens of other elected officials, to “stop the steal.”
In a milder release on January 7th, "World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder praised the United States Congress for certifying the election of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and condemned yesterday’s violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by insurrectionists seeking to overturn the results of November’s presidential election".
Ambassador Lauder went on to "unambiguously condemn the thugs and criminals who yesterday epitomized the worst elements of society by vandalizing the sacred halls and chambers of Congress, together with all who incited and abetted their unconscionable violence that also resulted in a tragic loss of life".
On January 8th, the Anti Defamation League (ADL) released a statement calling for President Trump "to be removed from office...either by the means afforded by the US Constitution or through his own resignation". Its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt called "what occurred on Wednesday inexcusable".
The organization expressed that "violence and sedition. Confederate flags being proudly displayed by rioters in the United States Capitol. White supremacists and far-right extremists marauding through the hollowed halls of the nations most sacred institutions. This was incited by President Trump and organized on social media for all the world to see...".
On the other hand, AIPAC did not seem to have posted a press release on its website (from what could be found). The only statement made was on Twitter on January 7th as follows: "we share the anger of our fellow Americans over the attack at the Capitol and condemn the assault on the democratic values and process. This violence, and President Trump's incitement of it, is outrageous and must end".
On June 11th, Jewish Women's International CEO Meridith Jacobs said the following: "In honor of that work, those women, and the children they reached, and on behalf of JWI’s 75,000 members, donors, and supporters, we call on President Trump to resign and for Congress to vote to bar him from ever holding office again. It’s time to say “enough,” turn away from humanity’s most base and ugly impulses, and reclaim the good. It’s time to heal our sickness".
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